how to increase sustain

[NoChancEmusic]

how can i increase sustain using pod go?

[theElevators]

1. add a compressor in the beginning of the chain, but after distortion if applicable

and/or

2. add delay with significant feedback. 

 

I personally almost never suffer from lack of sustain.  But I always have a distortion pedal in my chain, even for cleans--I cut the initial signal either turning down the guitar volume knob or using a fixed volume pedal.  This gives me compression, because a distortion pedal always compresses. 

[NoChancEmusic]

On 6/8/2024 at 12:49 AM, theElevators said:

1. add a compressor in the beginning of the chain, but after distortion if applicable

and/or

2. add delay with significant feedback. 

 

I personally almost never suffer from lack of sustain.  But I always have a distortion pedal in my chain, even for cleans--I cut the initial signal either turning down the guitar volume knob or using a fixed volume pedal.  This gives me compression, because a distortion pedal always compresses. 

alright, which compressor can i use for max sustain?

[theElevators]

I use LA comp.

[grdGo33]

On 6/7/2024 at 1:02 PM, NoChancEmusic said:

how can i increase sustain using pod go?

 

++ for compressor, but don't expect the impossible.  It's not that simple..

 

Quote

guitar pickups types and sustain

Answer

There are several types of guitar pickups, and they can significantly impact the sustain and overall tone of your guitar. Here are the main types and how they affect sustain:

Single Coil Pickups

• Typically have a bright, twangy tone with good articulation and string separation.
• Provide less sustain compared to humbuckers due to their lower output.

• Examples: Fender Stratocaster pickups, Telecaster bridge pickup.

Humbuckers

• Produce a thicker, warmer tone with more output and sustain compared to single coils.

• The higher output allows the pickup to drive the amp harder, resulting in longer sustain.
• Examples: Gibson Les Paul pickups, Fender Wide Range humbuckers.

P-90 Pickups

• Have a tone that sits between single coils and humbuckers - not as bright as singles, but not as thick as humbuckers.
• Provide more sustain than single coils due to their higher output, but less than most humbuckers.

• Examples: Gibson P-90 pickups used in Les Paul Junior and SG Special models.

Additionally, the position of the pickup can affect sustain:

• Neck pickups generally have more low-end and sustain compared to bridge pickups.

• Bridge pickups have a brighter, tighter tone with less sustain.
• The type of magnet used in the pickup can also influence sustain, with alnico magnets providing a more vintage, dynamic response and ceramic magnets offering a hotter, more compressed tone with increased sustain.

 

Quote

There are several ways to increase the sustain on your guitar:

Technique

• Use an aggressive vibrato with your fretting hand to keep the string vibrating and prevent it from dying out quickly.

• A wide, slow vibrato is more effective than a fast, narrow one.
• Bend notes and hold the bend release for a long time to maximize sustain.
• Use slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs to articulate notes without picking, which can help sustain.
• Pick the strings firmly with a stiff pick and good pick attack to set them vibrating maximally.

Guitar Setup

• Raise the pickup heights closer to the strings to increase their output and sustain.

• Replace pickups with higher output models like humbuckers or hot-wound pickups for more sustain.
• Ensure the nut slots are cut properly and not binding the strings.
• Use an amplifier with a high gain/distortion setting as more gain increases sustain.

  Effects

  • Use a compressor pedal to boost sustain and even out decay.
  Utilize overdrive, distortion or fuzz pedals which increase sustain through their clipping/gain.
• Add a dedicated sustain pedal designed to hold notes indefinitely.

Guitar Hardware

• Install a sustainer system in the guitar body to electromagnetically sustain notes.

• Use heavier gauge strings which have more inherent sustain.
• Upgrade to a higher quality guitar and amplifier designed for better sustain.
• The most effective ways are proper fretting hand technique combined with high output pickups, high gain amp settings, and effects like compression/overdrive. But even without gear upgrades, good picking and vibrato can significantly boost your guitar's sustain.

 

I wouldn't agree with everything on the above answer, but mostly, especially if you're a beginner, it's something you'll pick up over time.  I'd just focus on technique and learning to play rather than do 'techy' stuff, but yeah, short answer;   distortion, compression and delay/reverb will go a long way.  But many other things do influence sustain by a ton too.

[NoChancEmusic]

On 6/8/2024 at 7:05 PM, grdGo33 said:

 

++ for compressor, but don't expect the impossible.  It's not that simple..

 

 

 

I wouldn't agree with everything on the above answer, but mostly, especially if you're a beginner, it's something you'll pick up over time.  I'd just focus on technique and learning to play rather than do 'techy' stuff, but yeah, short answer;   distortion, compression and delay/reverb will go a long way.  But many other things do influence sustain by a ton too.

alright. also the drive is=gain in amp section in pod go?

[grdGo33]

On 6/8/2024 at 12:56 PM, NoChancEmusic said:

alright. also the drive is=gain in amp section in pod go?

 

Pretty much, yep.  Ch. Volume is effectively your volume control, and Master Volume also controls your volume, but simulates a real amp getting pushed hard, so boosting the master volume will also add distortion.

 

L6 Go really simulates amp electronics & tubes, so they do behave similarly to real amps.